In this article we are going to try and help you remove Cerber 4.1.6 Ransomware. Our instructions cover all Windows versions.

Is there a way to get rid of the Cerber 4.1.6 Ransomware infection without paying to the crooks? This is the question that is bothering most of the victims of this nasty ransomware virus. If you are one of them, here is the place where you may find a solution. And even though this is one of the trickiest malware, our “How to remove” team would do its best to help you effectively remove the infection. We will even give you a few suggestions on how to restore some of your data and the best is: we won’t ask you for any money for that. So, let’s begin.

What happens when data encryption is used by malicious hackers?

In the basis of the malicious capabilities of Ransomware lies a data securing method called encryption. In general, data encryption is not a bad thing and is widely used as the most secure and almost unbreakable method to protect sensitive digital information such as credit cards, bank details, health information and other data which should remain secret. Accessing the encrypted information is only possible through a special secret decryption key which provides optimal security and any other methods to gain access to the locked information are mostly impossible. If used for good, this sounds great. However, what happens when this strong security method is used by unscrupulous hackers that encrypt the data of unsuspecting users and ask them to pay ransom to gain access back to it? This is how the criminal scheme known as Ransomware works and unfortunately, it spreads with a great speed, infecting numerous victims all around the world. Its newest representative – Cerber 4.1.6 – comes armed with everything necessary to perform a full data encryption on the infected machine and request quite a high ransom from the victims. Ideally, if they pay, the victims should receive a decryption key that will restore their data back to normal, but the sad reality is that in most cases it doesn’t happen this way.

How does the Ransomware sneak inside the victim’s system?

Ransomware infections are some of the most sophisticated ones. The hackers use various delusive methods to hide their malware and infect as many people as possible. That’s why you could find Cerber 4.1.6 in places where you least expect it. Usually, a Trojan horse helps the ransomware to find a vulnerability in your system and silently sneak in. It could be well camouflaged like a seemingly harmless email attachment, a link, office file, torrent, an application or even a compromised web page. Malvertising and spam email campaigns are also some of the most successful ways that hackers use to infect a great number of people, that’s why it is a good idea to avoid clicking on such sketchy content. Unfortunately, if you happen to click by mistake or out of curiosity, this is all that it takes to activate the Ransomware, which will immediately start to encrypt your files.

How does the virus reveal itself?

When the entire nasty job is done, the hackers behind Cerber 4.1.6 do their best to inform you well enough about the encryption that has taken place on your machine. You will find a ransom note on the screen as well as in every folder with encrypted files. Some hackers even take it to the next level and insert an irritating vocal message as well. It may state that you have done some online crime and now the authorities have encrypted your files and have given you a fine which you must pay. Do not get tricked, though. All this is done with the sole aim to get the victims panicked and make them pay as quickly as possible without much thinking. The hackers may even give you a short deadline for the ransom and threaten you in various ways that they will delete the decryption key or even block your whole system if you don’t pay. This is again a manipulative technique that is commonly used.

You first pay, then we will send you the key, trust us…

You will most likely be promised to receive a decryption key for the restoration of your files right after a payment is made, however, this is another trap that often leaves the victims with nothing but a lot of lost money. And since the payment is usually requested in Bitcoins, which is an untraceable online currency, the chance of you getting your money back is, well, null. What about the decryption key? Well, you can’t really trust the word of a cybercriminal, can you? In most of the cases, once they get the money, there is nothing that could make the hackers send you the decryption key. Or if they really keep their word, what is the guarantee that it will really work? The sad experience of the numerous ransomware victims shows that if you decide to pay the ransom you should better forget about your money and hope for restoring your data if the hackers have some mercy on you. There is another option, though. You can take things in your hands and deal with the infection on your own. This could easily be done if you follow the instructions in the removal guide below and is surely a better choice than making any cybercriminal richer.

Open Task Manager and locate any processes associated with Cerber 4.1.6.

Press CTRL + SHIFT + ESC keys simultaneously –> Processes Tab –> Select a suspicious process (use Google or ask us in the comments if you are not sure about a process) –> Right Click and Open File Location –> End the suspicious process in Task Manager –> Delete the Folders containing the suspicious files.